When considering immigration to the U.S. or moving to another state, you often hear that "Springfield, Missouri has low housing prices."

In fact, housing prices and rent are generally lower than the U.S. average, and the cost of living is also manageable.

However, I always think, "Is a neighborhood good just because it saves money?"

From a Korean perspective, what's more important is the racial composition, safety, school districts, and whether children can adapt well in school.

Springfield is a representative city in the southwestern part of Missouri, but its racial makeup is quite different from that of major U.S. cities. Overall, it has a significantly high percentage of white residents, followed by Hispanic, Black, and Asian populations.

The percentage of Asians is relatively low compared to major cities, so it's not common to encounter Koreans or other Asians while walking down the street.

That doesn't mean it's difficult for foreigners to live here. The Midwest's unique atmosphere is generally friendly while maintaining a reasonable distance from others. However, for those who are used to diverse environments like California or New York, it may feel a bit unfamiliar at first.

Sometimes I get asked, "Isn't there a lot of racism?" To be honest, there is no place in the U.S. where you can completely avoid racism. It's present in New York and LA as well. It's hard to say that Springfield is particularly bad in this regard, but it's also not accurate to say that there is none at all.

In reality, factors like English proficiency and how well you adapt to the local community often have a greater impact than race. Participating in church activities, school events for children, and sports clubs can often lead to forming friendships with neighbors.

What about safety? This is something that needs to be viewed realistically. It's difficult to generalize Springfield as a whole as safe or dangerous. Like most cities in the U.S., there are significant differences between neighborhoods. Some older parts of the downtown area have relatively high rates of property crimes like theft and car break-ins, while suburban areas tend to be much quieter and more stable.

People who have lived in the U.S. for a long time often say, "Look at the ZIP Code rather than the city." This is because the quality of school districts and safety can vary significantly even within Springfield.

If you have children, school districts become even more important. Springfield has both well-rated public schools and average ones. Some suburban school districts, in particular, have high levels of educational satisfaction, and they offer good facilities for sports, music, and art after-school programs.

However, the intense competition for college admissions that Korean parents expect is relatively weak here. Instead, the American educational culture emphasizes children growing through sports, volunteer work, and club activities.

The Korean community is honestly not very large. There aren't many choices for Korean restaurants, and if you expect the level of Korean markets found in major cities, you might be disappointed. K-pop concerts and Korean cultural events are also not held frequently.

This is where choices diverge. If you feel uneasy unless you go to a Korean town every weekend, it might be frustrating.

On the other hand, if you want to live quietly, raise children, enjoy nature, and reduce living costs, you might find a high level of satisfaction.

Ultimately, Springfield is not the right city for everyone. If you desire the diversity and convenience of a vibrant metropolis, you may feel disappointed. However, for families looking to step away from intense competition and seek a stable life, it can be an attractive option.

In the U.S., there is something more important than "low housing prices." It's about which neighborhood you choose.

Even within the same city, choosing a good school district and a stable residential area can greatly affect your satisfaction. I believe that in Springfield, rather than judging solely by the city name, it's much more realistic to first consider what kind of life you want in which area.